social theorists: i challenge you!!!

Last week, we discussed Omar’s essay on the end of the “theorist” in sociology. I share the concern of many people who don’t use the label of “theorists.” Theory is often presented in a way that obscure and appears disconnected from the core concerns of sociologists. In the comments, Omar responded to me, and others, by noting that one legacy of Parsons was the creation of the “theorist.” In other words, now that we have theorists, we need to give them something useful to do.

Here is my suggestion: Take a field that is empirically deep and important, but under developed theoretically. Then, work on a synthesis that ties it together and integrates it with current “theory.” Here are my candidates:

Demography

Public opinion

Health

Criminology

In each case, the topic is hugely important and well developed but even practitioners admit that it is fairly atheoretical. They need your help, theorists. So put that Judith Butler back on the shelf and return that Zizek to the library and show me what you can do.

This is definitely critical, especially in criminology. But where would one publish such a theoretical-empirical piece? The major journals are oriented around a hypothesis-testing model that does not provide space for alternative paradigms.

Would the journals you listed facilitate an article with a complex quantitative empirical model, complete with equations? My understanding of Theory and Society, and similar publications, is that they are not set up for that kind of thing.